My favourite cat in the hat book is...

I have never read any of Dr Seuss' books; so I did not really know where to start on this topic. I did some research on the book. Through that i can say that my favourite cat in the hat book is Nick.

Nick is infinitely good-natured and game to try almost anything and, if he winds up getting tangled up into a knot, he is the first to laugh at himself and the situation. He is impulsive and instinctive and he flushes out problems and tests theories, jumping first and asking questions later. Nick loves the Thinga-ma-jigger and it is he who gets to flip the jigger-ma-whizzer that launches them on each adventure.

http://www.pbs.org/teachers/catinthehat/characters/

Nick is a dreamer; he is willing to try anything and that shows courage. The fact that he launches the jigger-ma-whizzer on each adventure really prove that point.  He knows how to take risks. And even if what he tried  did not work; he is still positive. I think it is a really good trait. No matter what happens; he won't let anything bring him down because he is good natured and cheerful. H e is a dreamer and is prepared to do anything to achieve his dreams.

Source: http://www.pbs.org/teachers/catinthehat/characters/

Like a boy

I don’t know why lately I have been listening to that Ciara song over again… It is like I never really heard it before. Maybe because now it relates to me in a way it never did before. “Like a boy” deals mostly with the way guys behave with their girlfriends in general (cheating; lying and so on). She is just asking “and if I did the same to you; what would you feel? Would you like that? No; you would not like that”

http://www.videos-musicales.net/ficha/Ciara.html

It just flashed this concept of relationships nowadays in my head…Men can behave as badly as they want; the more they cheat the better they are perceived. But if it is a girl who behaves that way people judge her negatively.  I am not saying I want to behave as the guys do; but I just want to point out that it is not fair; that’s all. But unfortunately it is a perception that is stuck in our society nowadays.

http://articles.businessinsider.com/2011-09-08/strategy/30129530_1_mileage-car-amy-danise

I just want the guys to take a minute and ask themselves if they would like their girlfriends to do the same. If not; then think again before doing it to them; that’s all I am saying…

Benefits of laughter

            We all need to take a moment to realise how laughter is important in our daily lives. It has short and lobg term benefits for our health. We need it, here are the benefits of laughter:

·         Lower blood pressure

·         Increase vascular blood flow and oxygenation of the blood

·         Give a workout to the diaphragm and abdominal, respiratory, facial, leg, and back muscles

·         Reduce certain stress hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline

·         Increase the response of tumor- and disease-killing cells such as Gamma-interferon and T-cells

·         Defend against respiratory infections–even reducing the frequency of colds–by immunoglobulon in saliva.

·         Increase memory and learning; in a study at Johns Hopkins University Medical School, humor during instruction led to increased test scores

·         Improve alertness, creativity, and memory

After this; you can see that it is indeed an important thing to do in our lives. Please take a moment in your busy lives to laugh. Make jokes; tell a funny story; watch a funny movie. Laugh at least once everyday.

 

http://www.trespassmag.com/what-makes-you-laugh/

Source: http://www.care2.com/greenliving/8-health-benefits-of-laughter.html

Another recipe...

Ingredients

375g pack all-butter shortcrust pastry500g small strawberries, hulled and halved

4 tbsp redcurrant jelly

For the creme patissiere

350ml whole milk

1 vanilla pod, split lengthways

4 large free-range egg yolks100g golden caster sugar

25g plain flour, plus extra for dusting

Finely grated zest of 1 lemon

Method

1.     1. Roll the pastry out on a lightly floured surface to the thickness of a pound coin. Use to line a deep, 23cm fluted, loose-bottomed tart tin. Trim the excess and prick the base all over with a fork. Chill for 30 minutes.

2.     2. Meanwhile, make the crème pâtissière. Put the milk and vanilla pod in a large pan, bring to the boil, then turn off the heat. In a large bowl, whisk the yolks and sugar for 10 minutes until voluminous, then beat in the flour and lemon zest. Strain the warm milk slowly into the egg mixture, whisking continuously. Clean the pan, then pour the mixture back in and gently bring to the boil, stirring constantly until it has thickened. Take the pan off the heat, cover the surface of the crème pâtissière with baking paper and leave to cool.

3.     3. Preheat the oven to 180°C/fan160°C/gas 4. Line the pastry case with baking paper and fill with baking beans or rice. Place on a baking sheet and blind-bake for 15 minutes. Remove the beans/rice and paper, then cook for a further 10-15 minutes until golden. If the edges look too dark, cover with foil. Leave for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

4.     4. Spoon the crème pâtissière into the tart, then level the surface with the back of a spoon. Place a strawberry half in the centre of the tart, then arrange concentric rings of fruit around it until all of the crème pâtissière is covered.

5.     5. Gently warm the jelly with 2 tbsp water until melted, brush over the strawberries and leave for 2 minutes to set. Serve.

 Enjoy!

Source: http://www.deliciousmagazine.co.uk/recipes/simple-french-strawberry-tart-recipe

Write your bucket list

 I do not reach a 100 now; but here is my bucket list:

http://katierunsthis.com/category/race-bucket-list/

1. Visit Japan
2. Lean Japanese
3. Get married
4. Have four children
5. See every member of my family at least once again
6. Tell my parents I love them
7. Go to  a Richard Bona’s concert
8. Meet Richard Bona
9. Work in a non-profit organisation to give back to the community
10. Learn to cook as many dishes as possible
11. Go on a safari tour
12. Take a pictures with wild animals
13. Build my dream house
14. perform with my dance group on a huge stage
15. Travel around the world
16. swim with dolphins
17. learn to say no sometimes
18. buy my mother a beautiful present
19. have photos taken by a professional photographer
20.  Go bungee jumping
21. Go scuba diving
22. Go to my village in Gabon
23. Own a beautiful African outfit
24. Be in a music video
25. Record a professional song just for fun
26. Go horse back riding again
27. watch sunset at a beach
28. take tango class
29. take belly dance class
30. learn to drive
31. go to the planetarium
32. attend an audition
33. climb Mont Fuji
34. take a professional picture
35. go to Kirstenbosch gardens
36. organise a wedding
37. take a spin in a convertible
38. Invent a recipe
39. Own a kimono
40. Visit an harbor
41. Take flying lessons
42. Visit a mine
43. Decorate an entire house
44. wear a Disney princess dress
45. Serve as a model for a painting
46. visit a temple in Japan
47. Go to the great Wall of China
48. Star in a music video
49. Take a spontaneous vacation with my husband to an exotic location
50. Visit an island
51. Get to know local people of the places I visit
52. Take a souvenir of every country I visit and dedicate a room to it in my house called “Escape”
53. Open a nonprofit organization
54. Take a big family picture
55. Go in a submarine and go under the sea
56. Teach something valuable to my children
57. Pinch my little boy's cute cheek
58. Hear the word "mommy" coming fro the mouth of my children
59. Sing a lullaby to my children
60. Put my children to bed
61. Watch my children grow up and achieve their dreams

Learn to appreciate...

Life is short. Remember it every second of every day if you can. I recently heard that one of my family members died three weeks ago. I only heard about it five days ago. But I kind of understand why they did not tell me; I am studying in a foreign country and they did not want to disturb my studies or cause me pain I suppose.  This news really shocked me as I never experienced the loss of someone who was close to me.

http://goddessblue.wordpress.com/tag/abuse/

What pains me the most about his death is that I did not appreciate him enough.  He was home almost all the time; coming to fetch or drop my little brother at school when my parents did not have the time to do so. He was so cool and I never really saw it. I don’t know why; maybe because I took him for granted. In the back of my mind; I thought that I was always going to see him again one day. I realize now that I never even took a picture of him; or even took his cell phone number despite the fact that he was home often. That’s a pity about life; when you see someone all the time or often; you make plans for tomorrow; you just say to yourself I am going to see him/her tomorrow or soon. I leant the hard way that it is not always the case. 

http://o1xbabii.tumblr.com/page/2

For you sake; I am asking you to appreciate your life and the people in it.  If you haven’t heard from someone in a while; call him/her to check up on him; if you have something to get out of your chest; get it out; before it is too late. Don’t postpone it or assume that you will have time later or one day because maybe you won’t. We must all learn to appreciate what we have before time forces us appreciate what we had.

My big FAT dream

I describe myself as a lucky person. I am lucky to have such a wonderful family that has always supported me. My family is one the most important things in my life. Without them (and especially my parents) I would not be where I am right now. For that; I will always be grateful. Besides; I am lucky to have wonderful amazing and crazy friends. They bring so much joy to my life. I am not saying everything is perfect but I have what I truly need.

http://www.nimble.com/blog/2011/01/04/two-times-lucky/

Unfortunately; it is not the case for everyone. They are people around the world that suffer from malnutrition; poverty; abuse; neglect; violence and so on. It can be young children or old people. I am always sad when I see people in such a state. Everyone should have the chance to live a decent life at least. This is why my big fat dream is to give back to many people as I can in the world. I want to be a philanthropist. I think that I am lucky enough and I want to give back to the less fortunate.

I realize it is not going to be easy but is worth it. There is nothing worst that seeing tears in the eyes of a young child who suffers because he hasn’t eaten in a week; or the pain and suffering of a teenager who is being beaten by a family member. I will do everything in my power and beyond in order to help them get a decent life because everyone deserves that much.

http://twitter.com/Unicefniger

I want to work in non-profit organisations in order to make that dream a reality. This is my big FAT dream.